Evenin Of Pleasure takes Yonkers Open Pace

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, June 16, 2018–Evenin' of Pleasure (Joe Bongiorno, $5.20) was a two-move sharpie Saturday night  winning Yonkers Raceway's $44,000 Open Handicap Pace.

Leaving the gate from assigned (and penultimate) post position No. 6, Evenin' of Pleasure found a three-hole behind 13-10 favorite Missile J (Brian Sears) and Artful Way (Mark MacDonald). The former led through early intervals of :27.4 and :56.3.

Evenin' of Pleasure then went after the leader, engaging Missile J in and out of a 1:23.4 three-quarters. With urging from his chauffeur, Evenin' of Pleasure grabbed a short lead entering the lane. He couldn't open any nighttime daylight, though, as Missile J hung around.

Evenin' of Pleasure did prevail, however, the margin three-quarters of a length in a season-best 1:51…matching (Bettor Memories) the fastest local mile of the season. Missile J settled for second, with Pacing Major N (Jordan Stratton), Theartofconfusion A (George Brennan) and Somewhere Fancy (Dan Dube) rounding out the payees.

For second choice Evenin' of Pleasure, an 8-year-old son of Dragon Again owned by Gestion J Y Blais and trained by Jennifer Bongiorno, it was his fourth win in 10 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $14.60, the triple returned $43.50 and the superfecta paid $214.

The first of nine Sunday matinees in an 11-week span offers a Father's Day (June 17th) first post of 12:35 PM.

by Frank Drucker, for Yonkers Raceway